The Little Grebe is a small (27 cm) grebe
with a chestnut throat and foreneck, a grayish black crown, hindneck, back
and breast and brownish sides. The base of the bill and iris are yellow,
the bill is black with a white tip and the legs are dark gray. Non-breeding
birds are paler, especially in the head and neck, which lack the chestnut.
Sexes are similar.

The Little Grebe frequents mainly small
lakes and ponds, but may be found in more open waters such as large lakes
and reservoirs in winter. It feeds on a wide variety of aquatic insects,
other invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans, and small fish and
amphibians. It feeds by making short (10-25 sec.), shallow (1-2 m) dives.
The nest of the Little Grebe is a floating platform of aquatic plants
anchored to submerged vegetation. The female usually lays 4 eggs, and both
parents share in the incubation. Two broods per year are often produced.

In Taiwan the Little Grebe is a common
resident year-round.

References: Handbook of
Birds of the World Vol. 1; A Field Guide to the Birds of China
(Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei)